The NodesNow desktop web app is your gateway to the future of collaborative meetings. Mirroring the features of our touchscreen app, the web app enables you to join meetings remotely, set up meeting spaces in advance, assist meeting facilitators from the comfort of your chair, and work asynchronously.
This hands-on guide will take you through the web app, from logging in and managing spaces on the dashboard to using the canvas' toolbox and collaborating and communicating with your peers.
Requirements
To follow along with this guide, you'll need two things:
NodesNow mobile app
NodesNow account
Mobile app
If you haven't downloaded it yet, the mobile app is available for both iOS on the Apple App Store and Android on Google Play.
Account
Register for a NodesNow account using your email or sign in with Google, Microsoft, or Apple. If you need help, see our registration tutorial.
Once you have the mobile app and account, you're ready to start.
App overview
The two main sections of the NodesNow desktop are the dashboard and the canvas. This section of the guide provides an overview of both.
1. Get to know how the web app is organized
1. Get to know how the web app is organized
Dashboard
The dashboard allows you to manage spaces, including creating, opening, naming, and archiving them.
Canvas
The canvas is where you collaborate in NodesNow spaces. It includes a robust set of tools, including integrated Teams, so you can collaborate and communicate effectively no matter where your team is in the world. The space created here will also taps into your touchscreen and your mobile app.
With that, let's jump in from signing up to collaborating and communicating with your team in a space.
Managing spaces on the dashboard
The dashboard is your NodesNow spaces headquarters. Here, you can create spaces, name and add descriptions to spaces, open spaces, and archive spaces. This section covers each of those functions.
2. Manage spaces on the dashboard
2. Manage spaces on the dashboard
When you load up the desktop web dashboard, you will be presented with the SPACE MANAGEMENT page. This page presents all of the created space on your logged in account. The page divides into two sections:
ALL SPACES displays all of the spaces created within the account
ALL ARCHIVES displays all of the archived space. The instruction on how to archive a space will be presented further down this instruction.
Create a new space
First you want to create a space for your account. To do so, click CREATE to start a new space.
Name and add a description to a space
Click the three dots menu and then Details in order to see and edit a space's name and description.
Open a space
Double-click a space to open it.
Archive a space
Click the three dots menu and then Archive space to archive a space.
Searching for Spaces
In case you have created a lot of spaces and wanted to search for a specific function, you could use the search box to search for a particular space. Type the name of a space you wanted to open into the search box then press Enter. The dashboard will load up a result for that space.
Exploring the NodesNow space canvas
Collaboration in NodesNow spaces takes place on the app's canvas. Here, we'll run through the tools in the canvas toolbox and then cover how to quickly navigate in spaces.
3. Test out the toolbox
3. Test out the toolbox
If you haven't already created and opened a space (directions in the previous section), do so now. From there, let's try the various tools in the canvas's toolbox.
Draw
Tap the pencil icon in the canvas's toolbox to open the drawing menu.
Select a color from the available color palette, or use the default setting.
Choose a line thickness or use the default setting.
Click anywhere on the canvas to start drawing.
As with the rest of the tools in the toolbox, after you create an item on the canvas, you can move, duplicate, resize, and delete it. Here's how:
Move, duplicate, resize, and delete
Move
Click on a drawing to select it.
Click and drag it to your desired location.
Release to place it.
Duplicate
Click on a drawing to select it.
In the drawing menu, click the duplication icon.
3. Move the duplicate drawing as instructed above.
Resize/reshape
Click on a drawing to select it.
Click and draw one of the corners on the drawing's bounding box to adjust the size. You could freely adjust the drawing's shape and size to your liking.
Delete
To delete a drawing from the canvas, there are two methods to use. The first method is to use a Delete command from the drawing menu. Here's how to use it.
Click a drawing to select it.
Click the trash can icon to delete it. The selected drawing will be deleted from the canvas.
Another method is to use the eraser tool. The eraser tool is a brand new tool that was added to our arsenal of tools with the latest update, and it allows you to erase your drawings more easily.
To use the eraser tool, here's how:
Click on the eraser tool located inside a toolbar.
2. Drag your mouse across a drawing that you wish to delete. The eraser tool will create a line across the drawing, while the drawing that was being marked across will be less saturated - signifying that it will be erased. Once you have your mark, let the mouse go. The object will be erased from the canvas.
Undo changes
To undo changes:
Click the undo icon.
To recover an action you've undone:
Click the redo icon.
Note: NodesNow provides support for up to 15 undo and redo actions.
Write a note
Select the notes icon in the canvas's toolbox. A color palette will then slide out. Select your desired note color.
2. You will notice that the cursor will now turn into a + (plus) shape, indicating that the note is ready to be added on the canvas. Click anywhere to drop the note on the canvas.
3. Start typing away. You will also notice that on the bottom-left side of the note, it displays the name of the collaborator/member who created the note as well.
4. If you wish to make any changes to the note including changing the note's color, you could click on the note itself and it will bring up a note menu. You could click on the color of the note and change to whichever color you like.
Note: You can edit notes in the same way that you edit drawings. See Move, duplicate, resize, and delete above for details.
Write on the canvas
Select the text icon in the canvas's toolbox. You will notice that the cursor will now turn into a + (plus) shape, indicating that the text is ready to be added on the canvas. Click anywhere to drop the text on the canvas.
2. Type something into the text box.
3. As before, you are free to customize your text box. Click on the text box to select it, and the text tool will show up. With this new version not only you are able to change the text's color, but you are also able to change the text's size directly from within the toolbox.
To move the text:
Click on it.
Click and drag it to your desired location.
Release to place it.
Note: You can edit text blocks in the same way that you edit drawings. See Move, duplicate, resize, and delete above for details.
Add a shape to the canvas
To add a shape to the canvas:
Select the shapes icon in the canvas's toolbox. You'll be presented with four shapes to choose from - rectangle, ellipse, polygon and star. Select any shape that you like, then click on the canvas to drop the shape onto the canvas.
Once you have dropped the shape onto the canvas, you'll notice that the shape's default appearance is a dull white color. You could customize the shape to make it stand out on your canvas by clicking on your shape. A shape toolbox will then launch.
Within this shape toolbox, you'll find that you have numerous customization to choose from. From this toolbox, you could:
Change the shape's border color
Change the shape's color
Resize the shape's border
As with drawings, notes and text, you could also duplicate or delete the shape as well.
Note: You can edit shapes in the same way that you edit drawings. See Move, duplicate, resize, and delete above for details.
Upload an image or video
To upload images and videos directly to a space's canvas:
Click the upload icon in the canvas toolbar.
This will open your computer's file organizer.
In your file organizer, choose media that you want to upload. The desktop web allows uploading .jpg, .png, .gif and .mp4 files with a size limit of 100 MB per file.
Note: You can work with images and videos in the same way as drawings. See Move, duplicate, resize, and delete above for details.
4. Navigate around the canvas
4. Navigate around the canvas
NodesNow canvases offer an infinite workspace, allowing you the freedom to zoom and move around to optimize your view and interaction with your work.
Moving around the canvas
To navigate across the canvas:
Using a trackpad: Place two fingers on the trackpad and slide in the direction you want to move the canvas.
Using a mouse: For horizontal movement, use the horizontal scroll feature by tilting the scroll wheel to the left or right. Alternatively, click and drag to move around the canvas if your mouse supports this functionality.
Zooming in and out
Adjust your view by zooming in or out on the canvas using the following methods:
Keyboard and mouse/trackpad combination: Hold down the Ctrl key (use the Command key on Mac) and scroll vertically using your mouse wheel, or pinch your trackpad with two fingers while holding down Ctrl/Command. Scrolling up/pinch in zooms the canvas in and scrolling down/pinch out zooms the canvas out.
Browser Zoom Tools:
Selecting zoom percentage: Click on the current zoom percentage in your browser's address bar or menu to select a specific zoom level.
Fit to screen: To quickly return to the default view, click it to set the zoom level back to 100%.
Accessibility
The new version of NodesNow offers accessibility features for those with impaired vision. Accessibility allows you to change the interface's font size or change the interface's color to a dark or light mode. To use Accessibility, click on Accessibility at the bottom right of the screen. The toolbar will pop up where you could adjust the interface's font size or color to your optimal preference.
5. Close the space
5. Close the space
When you're ready to end a session, it's time to exit the space. Here's how:
Click on WRAP UP AND LEAVE.
The canvas will prompt you on leaving the session. If you wish to leave, click on Leave. The current session will be automatically saved and the desktop web will launch you back to the dashboard.
Collaborating in NodesNow spaces
In NodesNow, you'll collaborate in both your spaces and other people's spaces. For your spaces, you'll need to invite others to your spaces. For other people's spaces, you'll need an invitation from them. This section covers both.
6. Invite others to collaborate in a space
6. Invite others to collaborate in a space
To invite people to a space:
Open a space and tap INVITE TO JOIN to generate an invitation URL and QR code.
2. A Send Invitation dialog box will appear where you have two options for inviting participants to join the space. To invite a participant into the space:
Click on the search box then type in the email or the name of the participant who is going to be invited to the space, then press Enter.
The email/name of the participant is going to be added to the list
Once you have added all of the participants into the list, click on Send Invitation.
Participants will receive an invitation email including the information needed to join the canvas.
Participants will be able to access the space from the NodesNow desktop web app and mobile app. Alternatively, participants could also scan the QR code with their mobile app, or a native QR scanner on their devices to join the space.
Note: You can also use the mobile app to invite people to a space.
7. Collaborate in someone else's space
7. Collaborate in someone else's space
Get the space's URL and PIN from the space's owner and enter it into your browser's address bar.
Sign into NodesNow.
A prompt to enter the space's PIN will show up. The PIN could be retrieved from the Send Invitation dialog box instructed earlier. Once you have entered the PIN into the input box, click Verify.
You'll then be taken to the space, where you can begin collaborating.
Communicating in NodesNow spaces
Communication in NodesNow takes place in MS Teams, which is integrated into NodesNow spaces. This section explores everything you need to know about using Microsoft Teams in NodesNow.
8. Try out Microsoft Teams in NodesNow spaces
8. Try out Microsoft Teams in NodesNow spaces
Start or join a Microsoft Teams call
To start or join a Microsoft Teams call within a session:
Tap START TEAMS CALL on the touchscreen.
Upon doing so:
The Microsoft Teams menu will be displayed.
You'll be asked for permission to access your computer's camera and microphone.
The participant interface will appear.
Invite participants to the call
Since Teams calls are embedded in NodesNow, your collaborators can join you in both your space and its integrated Teams call with the space's URL.
However, if you want to invite someone to a call who isn't near a computer, you can invite them directly to a Microsoft Teams call so they can join on a mobile device. To do so:
Tap the gear icon in the Microsoft Teams menu, then select Meeting Info
Upon tapping it, the touchscreen will display a dialog box that contains information for an invite URL and QR code that you can share with your collaborators. Desktop web users are also able to click Copy Link to copy a link directly and share it with your participants.
Share your screen with Microsoft Teams call participants
To share your screen during a Microsoft Teams call:
Tap the screen sharing icon in the Microsoft Teams menu.
Control the camera and microphone
During calls, the camera and microphone are activated by default. To toggle them on and off:
Tap the camera and microphone icons in the Microsoft Teams toolbox.
End the call
To conclude the call:
Click END MS TEAMS CALL.
Next steps
Congratulations! You're now ready to contribute to productive collaboration in NodesNow.
9. Learn more about participating in NodesNow spaces
9. Learn more about participating in NodesNow spaces
If you haven't learn how to lead a session yet, check out our guide for facilitators or getting started with the touchscreen. If you're attending a meeting soon, check out our guides for in-person and remote collaborators.